Reds torch camp machines

Security personnel inspect the burnt machines at the construction camp at Mohanpur Misroliya village in Muzaffarpur on Saturday. Picture by Lokesh Bihari

Muzaffarpur, Feb. 8: Around 50 alleged Maoists attacked the camp of a road construction firm late last night in demand of levy from the officials.

Around 12.30 last night, the rebels destroyed machines and equipment at the makeshift camp of Uttar Pradesh-based construction company JKM Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. The camp is located at Mohanpur Misroliya village under the jurisdiction of Sakra police station, around 25km east of Muzaffarpur.

The firm is engaged in the repair work of National Highway 28 from Muzaffarpur to Barauni for the past six months. Maoists from the sub-zonal committees of Vaishali and Muzaffarpur allegedly carried out the attack.

In handwritten pamphlets left at the spot, the rebels ordered the construction company employees to pay them levy or wind up operations.

Senior superintendent of police Saurav Kumar visited the spot this morning with additional superintendent of police (ASP) (operations) Rana Brajesh Singh to take stock of the situation.

He said assets worth Rs 5 crore were destroyed in the attack. Police recovered the pamphlets from the site and lodged an FIR against unidentified rebels.

Saurav said: “The Maoists burnt eight machines, including a road roller, a tractor and a mixing plant, of the company. The police have recovered handwritten pamphlets from the site, directing the construction company to pay levy. More than 50 Maoists came armed and set on fire the machines at the camp after dousing those with petrol. They asked the supervisors, labourers and other employees manning the camp to leave the place at once. The employees have fled.”

He added that local residents could also be involved in the incident. “We suspect two villagers of Mohanpur Misroliya of writing the pamphlets at the behest of the Maoists. The police are looking for the villagers.”

ASP (operations) Singh has also launched a hunt for the rebels who attacked the construction company’s camp.